As a remote oceanic island, St Helena is very vulnerable to the introduction of new pests, weeds and diseases which can adversely affect agricultural production, the natural environment, and also human and animal health. St Helena’s protection against harmful introductions is the responsibility of the biosecurity service, ‘Biosecurity St Helena’.

‘Biosecurity St Helena’ works across the biosecurity continuum focussing its work through pre-border, border and post-border operations. St Helena’s national Biosecurity Policy was approved in November 2014 and guides ‘Biosecurity St Helena’s’ programme of work.

To view biosecurity information for our sister Island of Ascension, visit the Ascension Island Government website.

Alerts

Help us to stop the spread of new pests by checking these alerts:

The Biosecurity Major Incident Plan outlines emergency response plans for both zoosanitary and phytosanitary risks.

What can I bring into St Helena?

This section provides biosecurity information for visitors to the Island, new residents, visiting yachts, researchers working in protected areas, and importers and exporters of risk goods:

Click here for full details of St Helena’s import health standards (IHS’s).

Click here for application forms for import and export licences for regulated goods.

What can I do to help ‘Biosecurity St Helena’?

Please check what you can import into St Helena before you order goods, in the section above or contact the Biosecurity Officer, julie.balchin@sainthelena.gov.sh

Pests and weeds can enter St Helena by stowing away, hitchiking or being smuggled.  Keep your eyes open! If you see something new or unusual – insect, weed, footprints – in your garden, at work or out hiking, report what you have seen or found to the Biosecurity Section or the Pest Control Sections at the ANRD office at Scotland, or telephone Julie Balchin, Nick Stevens or Rosie Peters on 24724, or hand in the specimen to the above officers at the ANRD Office or to the National Trust office in Jamestown.

Related Documents

Other Information

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

The movement of shells, feathers, plants and plant products of some species is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), of which St Helena is a signatory.

Application for import or export of species identified in Appendices I, II or III must be accompanied by a valid CITES export permit issued by the appropriate management authority in the country of export, unless covered by exemptions as specified in Article VII. Additional information can be obtained at: http://www.cites.org for details.